Violent Femmes
The Blind Leading The Naked

THE REVIEW

The Femmes' 3rd album has never received the attention it deserves compared to the first two albums, both masterpieces. In my day, we even danced to some tracks from this record at the disco. In fact, sadly, it is the last truly consistent album from the group, which has the merit of standing out from both the first and the second. It features a decidedly more "Mainstream" sound thanks to the production of Talking Heads guitarist-keyboardist Jerry Harrison, with many guests from Fred Frith to Leo Kottke. After the wild opening with the protest of "Old Mother Reagan," here comes the first masterpiece of the album, the compelling "No Killing," supported by the magnificent bass, this time electric, of Brian Ritchie, and an unforgettable "offbeat" chorus in which the voice of the leader is joined by those of De Lorenzo (who I believe plays with a traditional drum kit) and Ritchie. Immediately following is masterpiece number 2, the irresistible "Faith." Here, we return to territories more natural to the group; the track could have been found on the previous album, a religious gospel blues driven by horns and harmonica with another catchy chorus that doesn't let you go. Following is "Breakin' Hearts" with an interpretation that recalls the Talking Heads' leader, then the rocker "Special," "Love and me make three," and "World Without Mercy" (present only on cassettes) offers the vocal performance of Brian Ritchie and a Victor De Lorenzo, extraordinarily similar in tone to John Cale. Side B opens with "I Held Her In My Arms," years later a video was filmed of it with a new arrangement, the sax is irresistible, followed by another small masterpiece, the T-Rex cover "Children of The Revolution," simply extraordinary, one of the most successful reinterpretations of someone else's track, radio-friendly but catchy. I remember the very curious video showing the scene from the back of the album cover. Then "Good Friend" where our Gordon is inspired, without hiding it too much, by Lou Reed, a track also supported here by the splendid bass of Brian Ritchie. I've gone on too long... happy listening...